[2015 repost]

Yesterday morning I was getting dressed for us to go to breakfast with my friend Carol’s mother, Sylvia. I was talking with God and worshipping with my praise music as I usually do every morning.

I began to feel that God was telling me that I was to pray for our waitress at breakfast (I have done this before). And, of course, I told Him yes!

We drove to The Waffle House…but when we entered into the restaurant, we discovered there were no seats available and we were going to have to wait.

Carol and Sylvia decided that we would go to Denny’s which was pretty close. This was not a restaurant that they usually went to…but, this day, we were going!

At Denny’s, we were seated and quickly waited upon by a smiling, happy waitress. This was her! I knew that I would be praying for this joyful woman! I also knew that it would be when she brought our breakfast.

As we were waiting for our order and enjoying our time together, we noticed the two women in the booth behind us were asking for the manager. They were sitting close enough that we couldn’t help but hear of their dissatisfaction with their service. And their waitress was our waitress!

When our waitress, Tanya, came back to bring coffee and fill our water glasses – it was like a different woman had taken over! The smile was gone, a deep sadness rested upon her, and her body even seemed to be slumped over as if carrying a heavy burden.

As she left, we joined in prayer for her…but I knew that my assignment from the Lord was not complete. I still would connect with her when our order was brought to the table.

The two women finished up…got their take home boxes…but didn’t leave. I found myself praying, “Lord, if she brings our order while they are still here, do I still go ahead and speak with her?”

I knew immediately as an answer that we would not get our order until they were gone.

A few minutes later, the women got up and left. Within 2 minutes, our waitress began slowly walking to our table with the big platter of food. She sadly and slowly began placing everything before us and then picked up the platter to leave.

“Tanya, put down the platter…I would like to talk to you.” She put it down and slowly came closer to me.

“I would like to tell you a story” and I began sharing with her of how God told me I was to pray for her that morning.

“Tanya, I know what has happened this morning. Your worth is not dependent on what your job is. Your worth is because of who you are! You are a precious, beloved, daughter of the Most High King! You are beautiful and treasured! He hears you and He sees you. The Lord loves you so much, He made sure I was here in this place, at this time, so I could tell you how important you are to Him!”

With tears streaming down her face, she hugged me and told me thank you! We once again had our smiling, joyful waitress back! And she knew in a very tangible way at that moment how much God loved her!!

Oh, my friends! May we be intentional about taking the time to not only speak TO God in our prayers…but take the time to LISTEN to Him speaking to us!

Prayer is a conversation…and God desires for us to join Him in reaching out to others in love. Who would He like for you to show His love to today? Ask Him…

~Tina K. Roach